Read Online Best Dating Rules: A Romantic Comedy (The Best Girls Book 2) by Tamie Dearen - Free Book Online Page A

they were really good. Grace does watercolors, too. I didn’t know it was a secret...” His voice trailed off.
    Grace said, “Oh, would you like to take a class with me? There’s a great summer class with a fantastic teacher. He’s amazing—you’ll love him. It’s on Tuesday nights.”
    “Actually, it sounds fun.”
    She glanced at Spencer, who sported a rather miserable expression. “It’s okay, Spencer. I was only surprised you knew about my painting. That’s all.”
    All four sisters observed the small exchange closely. Grace considered Spencer with narrowed eyes.
    “I’m really looking forward to getting to know you better, Emily. We’ve got a lot of things to talk about.”
     
    When Steven called during the middle of their lunch, Emily sent a tense glance toward Spencer before stepping away from the table to answer.
    “Steven? What is it?”
    “They put her on an IV again, and now they’re sending us home. They told us to come back tomorrow if she still can’t eat or drink, and we’re seeing the doctor on Monday. I think we need to try a different prescription.”
    “So what do they have her on now?” asked Emily.
    “Uhmm... I can’t say exactly. But it isn’t working.”
    “Do they have her on an antibiotic?”
    “An antibiotic? For an ulcer? Uhmm, no I don’t think so.”
    “Maybe that’s the problem. Most ulcers are caused by infection, so they usually prescribe an antibiotic. I wonder why they didn’t give one to Mom.”
    Steven heaved a heavy sigh. “I wish I could answer that one for you, Emily. Maybe Monday I’ll be able to give you a better answer.”
    “You’re worried, aren’t you?”
    “I... I’m not... Yes. I am. But, your Mom’s going to be fine. I promise. I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
    She wanted to believe him. At least he’d admitted his concern, but she knew from her research things didn’t make sense.
    She walked back to the table, avoiding the probing eyes of the Marshall sisters. She had to say something. “Good news… Mom’s fine. She’s just dehydrated again.”
    Grace started to ask a question, but Spencer caught her eyes. When he shook his head almost imperceptibly, she forked a spoonful of salad and chewed with relish.
    Spencer asked Emily, “Are you finishing lunch? Or do you need to go?”
    “No, I’m good. I guess I’ll be available for dinner on Sunday as well,” she told Grace.
    “Six o’clock, as usual?” asked Spencer.
    “Did we invite you, Spencer? I thought this was a girls’ night.” Hannah stuck out her tongue.
    “Fine,” he smirked. “Are you cooking?”
    “Hey, Spencer. Can we have shrimp scampi this week? You know, since Emily’s coming?” asked Claire.
    “But that’s your favorite, Claire. Maybe Emily doesn’t like it.”
    “I like everything. Well, except for liver. And eggplant. And mountain oysters. Other than that, we’re good.”
    “Too bad,” Spencer chuckled. “I was really hoping to do mountain oysters.”
    “What’s mountain—” Claire began.
    “Don’t ask,” said Olivia. “I’ll tell you later.”
    “I’ll bring dessert. Do you like Hello Dolly Bars?” asked Emily.
    “Do they have chocolate in them?” asked Hannah.
    “Of course… Dessert has chocolate by definition.”
    “This is fun, isn’t it, Spencer?” Grace’s eyes were twinkling. “You should have introduced us to all your many, many female friends.”
    Emily watched as he glared at Grace, the muscles in his jaw clenching. But he didn’t respond to her provoking comment. How many female friends had he had over the years? He was awfully good-looking—of course he’d had a lot of girlfriends. Perhaps she could find out at dinner tomorrow night. In fact, she might learn a lot at the Marshall family dinner.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    Anne felt lik e warmed-over death. And she looked like it, too. She stared at her drawn face in the mirror. She pulled out her concealer and dabbed it under her eyes to camouflage the huge